ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1174, 21 January 1880, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

I THE HOSPITAL. (TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL.) Sir, —In view of the approaching election of Surgeon Superintendent for the Hospital, a few remarks with regard to the management of the institution, so far as medical attendance is concerned, will not, I think, be out of place. I have taken a considerable interest in the affairs of this most useful institution, and have hitherto been wedded to the present system of management; but so many arguments in favor of a change have been adduced that, like others of the same opinion, I "wish to be thoroughly convinced that the change proposed- would be for the better. No arguments having been brought forward publicly which would in any way tend to convince the subscribers that a/ change would be beneficial, I took upon myself to make suoh enquiries and gather such data as would place the matter in its proper light before the public. Not that.l am really convinced that a change would be for the better. lam open to conviction, and should thox'efore like to see the matter fully ventilated. It. is advanced by the opponents of thepresent system that it is manifestly unfair to the rest of the resident medical practitioners, and the remedy proposed is that, the same plan should be adopted as that in vogue in hospitals in the Home with °the difference, however, that there would be no resident surgeon. The plan is as follows :—That a certain number of beds should be set apart for each medical man for the purpose of receiving any patients under his particular supervision ; that certain days should be appointed on which medical men should be in attendance 'at the Hospital, and any cases coming in should be attended to. by the surgeon on whose particular day the patient was., admitted. Itisargued, and, I think with-every' show of.reason, that in this case, there would be always a medical man in attendance at the hospital; for in addition to' their being present on the days appointed* they would, as a matter of course, daily visit those patients placed there by themselves. The benefits arising from thia change of administration are as follow : In the first place, the salary of Ll5O perannum, now paid to the medical superintendent, would be saved, and, in view o£ the apparently admitted fact that all government subsides will cease after March next, this would be of very material advantage ; also, that a considerable number who do not now subscribe, being inimical to the present system, would cheerfully support the institution. Of course, we all know that a number of persons are only too glad of an excuse not to pay ; not that I mean to say that this is the case in the present instance, but such is the feeling engendered. Another and important advantage which it is said would accrue is that the maintenance money would be largely increased. Suoh, Mr. Editor, are the various arguments adduced in favor of the change proposed, a.nd I must admit that they, oik the face of them, bear the impress of favorableness. But, before I relinquish my present opinion—prejudice you may terra it if you like—l should like to have answers to the following queries Will the institution work at all without a responsible head % Would the medioal men be under the control of the Committee as at present ? How about the duties of the warder with so many masters ? My object in 'writing this is simply to invite discussion. —I am &c. In Utrumque Paratus. DISTRICT NOTES, TO THE EDITOR OP THE OAMARU MAIL. " Such weather," just remarked my friend Jack. " I wonder if there is anything in Hector. One day wet, windy, cold, and disagreeable ; the next day hot, calm, and earthquaky, producing a thirst that could only be quenohed by a gulfstream of Lintott and Qtterson's entire.' We have had hail, rain, and sunshine, all within the hour. Surely this is not correct, Where is Saxby ? Who can tell us why these things should be 1 Does Captain Edwin profess to let us know'/ If so, Mr. Editor, look up his agent, and keep us posted, for disappointment follows disappointment daily. I have just taken refuge at Ngapara. What shall I say of thee, oh! Ngapara, delightful village of the dale! supremely blest, cheerful, happy little Pedlington ! I congratulate you upon your felicitous, blissful existence. In this little Elysium the almighty dollar rubs cheek by jowl with the penny of poor Pat; harmony and goodwill seem to pervade every corner* Prize -tilts, prize picnics, prize bands, prize gii'ls and boys, nay, prize everything, exist in little Ngapara. Doughey vends his bread in peace, Quart-pot his homebrewed, Narrow Gauge erects his baths, even Pills sells his last box, and all dona without any jangle, riofc, or contention. Does such a picture hot stir up the envy of other little villages near by ? I know it does. But wait, neighbors, till we have our Town Hall, in which Professor Pepper and other celebrities are to lecture; yea, Darwin and Huxley have been specially engaged to lecture upon the origin of, species, whilst the long Sabbath winter evenings are to be employed discoursing sweet strains, selected from Moody gankey, to be followed by a disquisition on topics divine from the Rev. Jedediah Thunderbolt, upon the millennium —whatcauthe Ngapariteswant with millennial joys? The last is too much, can they wish for more than already exists. John Ploughboy has just issued a circular to establish a Farmers' Club. Mr. Secretary Furrow assures us all will be well managed, and a more successful undertaking cannot be entered into, as it is already agreed that everybody is to agree with everyone upon everything Go on sequestered village, let harmooay,. goodwill, and oheerfulness pervade all thyfuture works and ways, and depend upon it happiness and success will be. for eventhine. Diogenes